Town of Kill Devil Hills - Wind Energy Systems Ordinance

In October 2007, the town of Kill Devil Hills adopted an ordinance to regulate the use of wind-energy systems. The ordinance directs any individual or organization wishing to install a wind-energy system to obtain a zoning permit from the town planning board.

Size Requirements: Wind turbine towers are restricted to a height of 80 feet with a maximum rotor size of 23 feet in diameter. The combined height of the system must not exceed 92 feet above finished grade. All wind systems are limited to a rated power of 10 kilowatts (kW).

Visual Appearance: Towers and rotor blades must maintain a neutral color and must not create a visual distraction from the ground. Wind systems must also remain free from signage and artificial lighting, except that which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). No type of communications antennae or array may be installed or connected to the wind turbine.

Setbacks: The site for wind system installations must be at least one acre. Wind systems must be set back from all property lines by at least the distance of their height. They must also maintain a distance of at least 250 feet from certain highways and 100 feet from each other.

Installation and Noise Requirements: Wind turbine towers must be a self-supporting tubular tower (monopole); self-supporting lattice tower; or a guyed-lattice typed with a minimum guy radius of 50% of the tower height and a maximum radius of 90% of its height. The base of the tower must be secured in a way that prevents climbing. All systems must maintain a noise level of less than 60 decibels in keeping with town code. A North Carolina licensed Professional Engineer must seal all structural plans and all components of the system must conform to relevant local, state and national codes. At such time the turbine is no longer functioning the tower shall be removed within 120 days.